Private Mexican Cooking Class With Licensed Chef

Chef David's market tour and cooking class is not to be missed! Our group of four met in front of the Ignacio Ramirez Market where our instructor's beautiful Spanish and warm, respectful relationship with vendors provided insight into the market's history and lives of those who make a living there as well as into ingredients required for the dishes we had elected to prepare in class. In his spotless, extremely well organized kitchen, Chef David's breadth of experience, depth of cultural knowledge and passion for his adopted country guided us through the creation of a delicious meal (we did NOT need to eat again that day!). In addition to improved cooking technique, we all came away with wonderful stories and a greater understanding (and appreciation for) the dishes we enjoyed. Eight thumbs up from our group --- if you're looking for a tremendous day in San Miguel, this class is that day!! P.S. Days later, on a tour of Dolores Hidalgo, we mentioned Chef David's class. Our guide's response was: "Chef David?! The man is a legend!" Our group would unequivocally agree.

I've taken cooking classes in Italy, the USA, Guatemala, and Mexico, and I've come away with many delicious recipes. Chef David's recipes are outstanding too. However, today was the first class where I left with more than recipes. I truly felt I gained new cooking skills and learned new techniques, along with a deeper understanding of the cuisine and its ingredients. It was awesome! Highly recommend.

The cooking class my husband and I took in San Miguel was easily a standout of our trip. While the food was fantastic, what we really appreciated was the deep dive into the history of every dish. It wasn’t just a "how-to"; our instructor shared the stories behind the ingredients and how the local cuisine evolved, which gave us a much deeper connection to what we were making. Beyond the big-picture history, he peppered the session with great little technical tips—small things about heat management and knife work that you don't usually find in a standard recipe book. We can’t wait to start using them back in our own kitchen. It felt less like a formal lecture and more like hanging out with an expert who genuinely loves the craft. If you're in San Miguel and want to understand the culture through the food, this is the way to do it.

The class exceeded our expectations. David is a great teacher who adds fascinating history of world cuisine to his course. The food was delicious.

David is an exceptional chef with a gift for teaching and a deep desire to share his knowledge at a level that each of us can understand. The food we made was extraordinary and I can’t wait to make it at home.

Great experience and great food! David is an impressive teacher- both about Mexican culture and tradition and also basic culinary techniques. The market tour was a nice addition.

Absolutely wonderful . David is so knowledgeable and we learned so much. Loved the recipes that we made and it was so great hearing about all the food history. Enjoyed cooking and seeing David's garden. Like to get him my email so he can send me the recipes we made together. He sent me a request for the email on Viator.

Chef David’s class is part cooking, part history and part social hour it was the meal of the day and then some. One of our best (dining) experiences in San Miguel Allende. Highly recommend.

We thoroughly enjoyed the class. David's presentation was excellent, and we enjoyed learning the history, techniques, participation in preparation, and, of course, the food. We thought that being able to pre-choose the dishes for our class and then prepare them with Chef was great. Highly recommended.

Chef David and his lovely wife Amy provided a marvelous, immersive gastronomic evening which was extremely enjoyable! David began the event listing his credentials, and then gave a brief and informative talk about the history of food internationally, and then, more specifically, the food of Mexico. We then had a hands-on lesson in the food preparation, and consumed a gourmet meal consisting of Jicama Ceviche Style Salad, Corn Tortilla Squash Flower Cheese Quesadillas, Enchiladas verdes, and Flan Napolitano. The food was incredible, and the best part was interacting with David and Amy, and learning about the history of the region!

This was the most exceptional cooking. class I have ever attended. (And I have attended many.) Chef David was such a great teacher. I can't believe how much he improved my knife game after a single session! He was warm and friendly, knowledgeable and kind, the food we made together was delicious and I can't wait to repeat the recipes now that I'm back home!

The incredibly well-informed and personable Chef David Jahnke led our group of six on an incredible and unforgettable 2.5 hour Tuesday market tour (Tiangus) followed by a cooking class. It was exceptional from start to finish. The market tour felt authentic and personal, with thoughtful explanations of local products, traditions, and seasonal ingredients. Chef Jahnke was engaging with encyclopedic knowledge of Mexican cooking (and many other cuisines!) and its ingredients. Even the extremely experienced foodies in our group were impressed and everyone felt comfortable asking questions. The cooking class struck the perfect balance between educational and fun, with plenty of hands-on involvement and professional tips you can actually use at home. The final meal was incredible, and sharing it together made the experience even more special. A must-do for anyone who loves food and wants a deeper connection to the local culture here in Mexico.

Fantastic class! Chef is a great teacher, not just with the recipes we made, but also with the history of food and cooking in Mexico and throughout the world. I learned so much, including some practical skills I can easily incorporate into my cooking at home to be healthier. He offered us a menu for the day ahead of time, but also gave us many options for substitutes, which we did with one dish and everything was just great. He's such a kind person and it was a really special experience to have a cooking class in someone's home. And the food was incredibly delicious!

David is a wonderful chef/teacher, food culture and gastronomy university professor, and food historian. I learned, I cooked, I honed my knife skills, and I ate magnificent food that I can recreate for my family and friends all in his home kitchen. A wonderful experience.

This is a great experience. It was super fun to cook with a superb chef, but the food was amazing. In addition, the chef’s knowledge of mexican food and history was superb. I learned a lot. This is a must do.

What a great cooking experience! A few years ago, my family began the tradition of taking a cooking class when we travel internationally. While all of them have been fun and delicious, each of them are different. What really stood out about David was his incredible knowledge of food and culinary history. He didn't just study how to cook. He studied the science of food and shared it with us. We all came away having learned so much. Of course, it wasn't just about the learning. It was the doing and eating. When you sign up with David, he shares with you a massive menu of options. We choose corn soup, an enchilada dish, a steak 'stew' and what I think of as Mexican funnel cakes. The food was wonderful and we all got to put our cooking skills to the test. If you are in San Miguel de Allende and want to experience life in the kitchen of a true master chef, this is the activity for you.

We decided last minute to book a class and I am so happy we found Chef David. Not only did we learn so much about cooking the wonderful food, but got a history of the origins of foods, especially a lesson on those native to Mexico. This class is a must do when in San Miguel. Even if you have never chopped a pepper---GO TO THE CLASS!! One of the best meals we had in San Miguel and "we" made it.

We so appreciate the chef for opening his home to us. The food was delicious. The experience was extraordinary. David is an educator - we learned to cook but we learned so much more about Mexico, the history of food in Mexico, etc. we appreciated his emphasis on healthy eating! Thank you.

This was a great experience to end my trip.. Chef David was very knowledgeable, explained the ingredients and process for making each dish. The ingredients were so fresh and the menu was unique to the culture and each recipe was delicious. I learned a lot and highly recommend this class to everyone who loves to cook!

Our family of 6 adults had a wonderful cooking class with Chef David. He warmly welcomed us into his home and taught us about the history of authentic Mexican cooking. Thereafter, the cooking began! His instructions were clear, his support readily available and his recipes delicious. We highly recommend!

Very informative. Excellent presentation. Very organized. Food was fabulous and we very much enjoyed helping prepare.

Chef David Jahnke was outstanding! He was not only very knowlgeable about the history of food but he was an excellent teacher and allowed our group to get inmersed in the process of hands-on cooking. The class was fun and interesting. We learned many new techniques in cooking Mexican food and thoroughly enjoyed the delicious meals we cooked. The school is at his home, which made if very homey and his wife was delightful as his sous chef. I highly recommend this class!

Chef David was extremely knowledgeable in food science and Mexican food history. The dishes were amazing! We made four courses and used herbs from his garden. My knife skills improved immensely with his tutoring. HIGHLY RECOMMEND !

There’s a reason this has a 5-star average - Chef David is the real deal. Before the class, Chef David messaged me to check if the menu was what I want. We had a brief back and forth and he tweaked it to accommodate my dietary preferences, which was great. When our class started, Chef David spent a while educating us on Mexican cuisine and foods that are and aren’t indigenous to various regions. He is super knowledgeable and it was fascinating. Our food consisted of a nopales (cactus) salad, tortilla soup, enchiladas verdes, and red snapper. It was seriously the BEST food. It was a great experience and I highly recommend if you love good food.

We had the best time at the Private Mexican Cooking Class with a Licensed Chef in San Miguel. The food was absolutely delicious, and I was amazed at how much we learned—not just cooking techniques, but also the history and origins of the ingredients (you’ll be surprised where some of it really comes from!). I’ll admit, I’m not a great cook, but I walked away with so many tips and more confidence in the kitchen. My husband and our friends, who are all excellent cooks, were equally impressed and learned new things too—which says a lot! The experience felt so personal since the class was held in the chef’s home. We were welcomed by his wonderful wife, and by the end, even got to meet his very cool kids. It was such a special touch that made the whole day unforgettable. If you’re in San Miguel, I highly recommend this class—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, you’ll leave full, happy, and inspired.

It’s a must do if you want to really understand the Mexican food and culture. The Chef welcomed us warmly into his home with his lovely family making fun appearances. The food is divine and the information he imparted on us is incredible. We would come back again and again. Don’t bother making dinner reservations- you will be full for the rest of the night

I can’t recommend Chef David’s cooking class enough! From start to finish, he was warm, courteous, and incredibly knowledgeable. Days before the class, he provided us with a wide variety of menu options, then guided us through each recipe with clear instructions, fascinating history, and helpful cooking tips. His passion for both food and teaching shines through—Chef David is truly a master chef and a master teacher.

Chef David is an amazing instructor. He’s originally from Germany. His knowledge of foods and the history of how they came from and to various parts of the world added to our enjoyment of the class. The recipes he chose to teach were delicious we made everything with all fresh ingredients. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take a cooking class. David is the only certified chef in San Miguel with many years of experience.

We both love to cook and learned some great pro-tips from Chef Jahnke. We tackled some complicated dishes out of his amazingly extensive offerings. What a great way to spend an afternoon…learning, cooking, and enjoying the delicious results!

Prepare to learn (and eat) from a very personable, talented Chef! Chef David gave me an in-depth history of contributions Mexico has given to the worlds food development. Then we began cooking. Chef David showed me several types of dried peppers from serrano to guajillo to ancho and then we started chopping and creating! From a base of Chicken broth to authentic Tortilla soup to Snapper Veracruz to Enchiladas Verde and then desert! I'll never be the chef he is but I learned many techniques I can use in everyday cooking. He also has an amazing garden which we picked from for our dishes. Once our class was finished, he sent me ALL of the recipes we cooked. Whether you are a foodie or just hungry, you can't miss with Chef David!

Delicious food! Chef David is not only a very nice human he is also very knowledgeable. I learned lots of basics and beyond that I can take home with me to recreate his recipes and translate to other recipes. My non cooking husband had a great time as well!

Hi! I meant to write this review straight after my trip but I’ve let time slip away. The experience has left me wanting to return to San Miguel, just to attend more cooking lessons with Chef David. He was so informative , and interesting. His recipes were sent to us the following day which was so professional . If you are Lucky enough to be the gorgeous town of San Miguel de Allende , you must not miss the opportunity to learn about real Mexican cooking from this talented man. We made a flavorful Mexican broth with poached chicken that went into our mole sauce we learned how to make. We learned how to make the most incredibly moist tamales filled with flavorful charred poblanos and mushrooms. We made Mexican Flan and caramel sauce . I feel like we learned more in the few hours we were there than I’d expect. David’s home is packed with interesting items to demonstrate the history of the age old cuisine . I give David all the stars and cannot wait to return!

Chef Jahnke is a gifted teacher. He has a very pleasant manner & teaches not only the hows & whats of food preparation and cooking, but also the whys. And he teaches in the most courteous and engaging manner. From the moment you start the class until you finish, you're absorbed in the learning and before you know it, hours have flown by. I highly recommend gifting yourself a class with Chef Jahnke. You'll find you will look at food differently, with more respect for the food, the relationship with preparation, and for the end result. And always as a labor of love.

Chef David is an amazing teacher! We loved the experience of cooking in his beautiful home. I highly recommend!

Great education experience and excellent food! Chef David is a wealth of culinary experiences and presents great context for the dishes being prepared

We had a great time. Chef David really knows his stuff. He is passionate about the history and culture of the area. The menu was tasty and we learned a ton about San Miguel. We wouldn't hesitate to take another class when we return.

My brother and sisters spent four hours with Chef Jahnke and every second was just splendid. We learned, we chopped, we listened and watched, we chopped some more, we ate and we were completely transported through Mexican culture and food history and charmed by Chef David. It was the highlight of our trip for sure.

Having spent the past week in San Miguel with my family I have to say the highlight was the Chef David Jahnke Cooking Classes School. David is a wonderful teacher who started the class with an insightful history of the origin of food from all over the world, I learned many things that I did not know. He taught us how to make (from scratch) 'Tortilla Soup', ‘Ceviche al estilo Acapulco’, 'Mole Poblano' and ‘Flan de Chocolate’...all were exceptional. Highly recommend this class and its value is many times the cost. We will definitely take another class when we return to San Miguel!!!

Having spent the past week in San Miguel with my family I have to say the highlight was the Chef David Jahnke Cooking Classes School. David is a wonderful teacher who started the class with an insightful history of the origin of food from all over the world, I learned many things that I did not know. He taught us how to make (from scratch) 'Tortilla Soup', ‘Ceviche al estilo Acapulco’, 'Mole Poblano' and ‘Flan de Chocolate’...all were exceptional. Highly recommend this class and its value is many times the cost. We will definitely take another class when we return to San Miguel!!!

Excellent experience! After reading reviews I thought it would be good but it exceeded my expectations.

We had friends visiting who love to cook and have taken cooking classes in several countries. We opted for a German class (my heritage) and added one French dish. Chef Jahnke is a professional chef, and what a difference that made. He shared with us some history and background of the food we were preparing. All the ingredients were market fresh and purchased same day. There was just enough “hands on” cooking for all of us to be involved without being overwhelmed. The food was absolutely delicious, and Chef shared all the recipes. The entire experience was worth every minute. Vielen Dank Chef Jahnke

Probably the best thing we did in San Miguel. David is so knowledgeable not only about cooking, but the history of food and culture worldwide, and he weaves those lessons in perfectly to the class. David was also very very patient with my kids and had tools and techniques prepared just for them to use. The class was super well organized, with some things prepared in advance so we could enjoy and not get overwhelmed. And the food was delicious! Highly recommend taking a class with David if you are in the vicinity of San Miguel!

Very knowledgeable chef David, a lot of fun making delicious dishes. Learned a lot about Mexican cuisine.

A group of 7 of us signed up for this class and absolutely loved it. We all consider our selves cooks but learned many things both about Mexican cuisine and cooking tips too. David adjusted the menu per our request too (and very last minute) which we so appreciated and were highlights too! Cannot recommend enough.

What an amazing authentic and informative experience plus a whole lot of fun. Chef took a lot of time explaining the history of Mexican food and the influence of other cultures over time. He did so in a very engaging way and involved the group. The class was very hands on. We all learned new knife skills and lots of tips for preparing Mexican dishes and working with ingredients we were not as familiar with. The class is in his home and his wife is assisting. It is very personal and warm as of you had dropped in for a visit. Chef was also super willing to adjust menu to all our requests. I highly recommend this experience.

I have taken cooking classes around the world, and this was one of the best classes I have ever attended. David is incredibly knowledgeable about all types of cuisine and gave us fascinating insights into the history of Mexican foods. The class was very well organized, and David had prepped all the ingredients so that we could maximize our time cooking. This was a hands-on experience, and everyone was able to participate. David thoroughly explained the techniques so that we could easily understand and replicate them at home, The food we created was delicious. David promptly provided all the recipes via email. I would highly recommend this class for cooks of all levels.

The chef was very willing to adapt the menu to fit us, but we loved the meal that had been set. All healthy and cooked from scratch. So knowledgeable and learned so much. Highly recommend!

David is such a good teacher. He took us to the market to buy some of what we needed to cook and along the way gave us a wonderful history lesson on colonial Mexican cuisine. The class was well organized and the food was delicious. I can’t wait to get home to make one of his fabulous recipes.

David is so knowledgable, food was delicious and I received the recipes on my email before we got home. I highly recommend this class.